Favorable geographical location and favorable climatic conditions Azerbaijan contributed to the appearance of man on its territory already in ancient times. In the north-west of Azerbaijan, on Mount Aveydag and in the Azykh cave in Garabagh, stone tools labor. In addition, the lower jaw of one of the oldest forms of Neanderthal was found in the Azykh cave. Monuments of the Bronze Age were discovered in Khojaly. Gadabey, Dashkesan, Ganja. Mingachevir, in Nakhchivan. Not far from Baku, in Gobustan, at the site of the settlement of ancient people, rock paintings dating back about 10 thousand years have been preserved. Here is a rock with a Latin inscription telling about the stay of a centurion of the Roman legion in Gobustan in the 1st century AD: “The time of Emperor Domitian Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Lucius Julius Maximus. Centurion of the XII Lightning Legion.

At the end of the 3rd - beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. e. the prerequisites for the emergence of the first class societies were formed. First state entities on the territory of Azerbaijan there were tribal unions of the Mannaeans, and then the Medes.

In the 1st millennium BC. e. Cadusians, Caspians, Albanians, etc. also lived on the territory of Azerbaijan.

In the 9th century BC. e. The state of Mana arose. In the 7th century BC. Another large state arose - Media, which subsequently extended its power over a vast territory. This state reached its greatest power during the reign of King Cyaxares (625-584 BC), turning into largest empire Ancient East.

By the middle of the 4th century BC. e. Power in Media passed into the hands of the Persian Achaemenid dynasty. The Achaemenid state fell under the attacks of the troops of Alexander the Great and at the end of the 4th century BC. The state of Atropatena (“the country of the keepers of fire”) was formed. The main religion in Atropatene was fire worship - Zoroastrianism, high level Economic and cultural life was achieved in the country, Pahlavi writing was used, money circulation expanded, crafts developed, in particular, the manufacture of woolen fabrics was widely known.

In the 1st century BC. - I century AD The state of Albania Caucasus arose.

At the beginning of the 4th century, Christianity was adopted as the state religion in Albania; temples were erected throughout the country, many of which have survived to this day.

At the beginning of the 5th century, Albania developed its own alphabet of 52 letters. Throughout its history, Azerbaijan was repeatedly invaded by foreign conquerors; raids by nomadic tribes, Huns, Khazars, and others were carried out through the Derbend Pass.

In the middle of the 7th century, the Arab invasion of Azerbaijan began. During the resistance, the Albanian commander Dzhevanshir, the head of the fief of Girdiman, who later became the ruler of Albania, became famous.

At the beginning of the 8th century, the Arab Caliphate captured Azerbaijan. Since then, the religion of Azerbaijan is Islam.

In the 9th century there was a major popular uprising, which developed into a peasant war under the leadership of Babek. The war covered a vast territory equal to the territories of modern European powers. For twenty years, Babek, thanks to his extraordinary military leadership and organizational talent, led the peasant state. In the 2nd half of the 9th - 1st half of the 10th centuries, a number of feudal states formed and strengthened in Azerbaijan, among which the state of the Shirvanshahs, with its center in the city of Shamakhi, especially stood out. It existed until the 16th century and played a huge role in the history of medieval Azerbaijan.

For many centuries, the Azerbaijani people, their scientists, poets and writers, architects and artists have created a high culture, contributing to the treasury of world civilization. An outstanding monument of Azerbaijani folk literature is the heroic epic “Kitabi Dede Gorgud”. In XI - XII centuries prominent scientists Makki ibn Ahmed, Bakhmanyar, poet-thinkers Khatib Tabrizi, Khagani, poetess Mehseti Ganjavi and others lived and worked. Masterpieces of architecture of this era have been preserved in Azerbaijan: the mausoleums of Yusuf ibn Kuseyir and Momine Khatun in Nakhchivan, etc. The pinnacle of social and cultural Azerbaijan's thoughts of this period were the works of Nizami Ganjavi (1141-1209), which was included in the golden fund of world literature.

In the 20-30s of the 13th century Mongol invasion The economic and cultural rise of Azerbaijan was interrupted, and from the end of the 14th century Azerbaijan was invaded by Tamerlane’s troops. These invasions slowed down, but did not stop the development of Azerbaijani culture.

In the 13th - 14th centuries, outstanding poets Zulfigar Shirvani, Avkhedi Maragai, Izzeddin Hasan-ogly, scientists Nasireddin Tusi - the founder of the Maragha Observatory, philosopher Mahmud Shabustari, historians Fazlullah Rashidaddin, Muhammad Nakhchiv ani and others lived and worked.

The main centers of Azerbaijani culture at the end of the 14th - 15th centuries. - Tabriz and Shamakhi. During this period, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs was erected in Baku - a masterpiece of medieval Azerbaijani architecture, the Blue Mosque was built in Tabriz, etc. At the beginning of the 16th century, the Safavid state arose with its capital in Tabriz, which played a significant role in the history of Azerbaijan. The founder of this state was Shah Ismail I (1502-24). For the first time, all the lands of Azerbaijan were united as part of single state. In the middle of the 18th century, the process of formation of independent states - khanates - began on the territory of Azerbaijan. Various khanates were famous various types crafts. Sheki was the center of silk weaving, the production of copper utensils and weapons developed in the Shirvan Khanate, carpet weaving in the Guba Khanate, etc. The historical conditions of the 17th - 18th centuries found their expression in the culture of Azerbaijan.

An outstanding monument of folk art is the heroic epic "Koroglu", named after the folk hero - the leader of the peasants who opposed foreign and local oppressors. Among the outstanding monuments of Azerbaijani poetry of the period of the 16th - 17th centuries is the work of the great poet Fuzuli. In the first half of the 19th century, as a result of the Russian-Iranian wars, Azerbaijan was divided into two parts. According to the Gulistan and Turkmenchay peace treaties of 1813 and 1828, concluded between Russia and Iran, the Garabagh, Ganja, Shirvan, Sheki, Baku, Derbend, Guba, Talysh, Nakhchivan, Erivan khanates and other territories went to Russia. The oil industry played a great role in the development of Azerbaijan and its capital, Baku, in the subsequent period. Oil has been produced in the Baku region since time immemorial. In the second half of the 19th century, an unprecedented increase in oil production began. The first large industrial enterprises appeared. Primitive oil wells were replaced by boreholes. Since 1873, steam engines began to be used in drilling.

High profits attracted domestic and foreign capital to the oil industry of the Baku region. In 1901, oil production here accounted for about 50% of all world oil production. IN mid-19th century, the German company Siemens built two copper smelters in Gadabey, which accounted for a quarter of the copper smelted in Tsarist Russia. On May 28, 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was proclaimed. It was the first republic in the entire Muslim East. The republic lasted almost two years and was overthrown by Soviet Russia. On April 28, 1920, the 11th Red Army entered the capital of Azerbaijan. According to the Constitution of 1936, Azerbaijan became a union republic within the USSR. After the collapse of the USSR, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopted the declaration "On the restoration of the State Independent Republic Azerbaijan", the sovereign Republic of Azerbaijan was proclaimed.

Since gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has faced a number of difficult problems associated with the collapse of the planned economy and the difficulties of the transition period. In solving these and other problems, including those related to strengthening the independence of the republic, great importance has a contract signed in September 1994 with the Consortium of leading international oil companies, also called the "Contract of the Century".

Azerbaijanis have always been distinguished, despite any adversity, by faith in the future and great optimism. And today, when our young republic has embarked on the path of its independent development, we believe that Azerbaijan will take a place in the world worthy of its past, present and future.

Historical and cultural monuments are evidence of the centuries-old history of Azerbaijan. For thousands of years, the vibrant and multifaceted history of Azerbaijan has been embodied by the talent of the people in numerous priceless relics. The country has preserved ruins of ancient and medieval cities, defensive structures- fortresses and towers, magnificent architectural monuments - temples, mosques, khanegas, mausoleums, palaces, caravanserais, etc.

When the great Russian poet Sergei Yesenin left Baku in 1925, he wrote that he felt “sadness,” i.e. It is difficult for him to part with hospitable Azerbaijan. Since then, Azerbaijan has changed a lot, but the people have remained the same – very hospitable. Beautiful mountains await tourists in Azerbaijan, delicious cuisine, Caspian Sea, ancient cities, and, of course, hot and mineral springs.

Azerbaijan is located in the Transcaucasus, where Western Asia meets Eastern Europe. Azerbaijan borders on Russia in the north, Georgia in the northwest, Armenia in the west, and Iran in the south. In the east, Azerbaijan is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. The total area of ​​this country, including the Nakhchivan enclave, is 86,600 square meters. km., and the total length state border– 2,648 km.

In the north of Azerbaijan there is the Greater Caucasus Range, in the center of the country there are vast plains, and in the southeast there are the Talysh Mountains. In general, mountains occupy about 50% of the territory of all Azerbaijan. The highest point is Bazarduzu Peak, whose height reaches 4,466 meters.

There are more than 8 thousand rivers in Azerbaijan, and all of them flow into the Caspian Sea. The most long river– Kura (1,515 km), and the largest lake is Sarysu (67 sq. km.).

The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku, which is now home to more than 2.1 million people. Archaeologists believe that people lived on the territory of modern Baku already in the 5th century AD.

The official language in Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, which belongs to the Oghuz subgroup of Turkic languages.

About 95% of the population of Azerbaijan consider themselves Muslims (85% are Shia Muslims, and 15% are Sunni Muslims).

According to the current Constitution of 1995, Azerbaijan is a presidential republic. Its head is the President, elected for 5 years.

In Azerbaijan, the local unicameral Parliament is called the National Assembly (Milli Məclis), it consists of 125 deputies. Members of the National Assembly are elected by popular vote for a 5-year term.

Basic political parties in Azerbaijan – “New Party of Azerbaijan”, “Party of Equality” and “National Unity”.

The climate in Azerbaijan is very diverse, which is due to its geographical location. The climate is greatly influenced by the mountains and the Caspian Sea. On the foothills and plains of Azerbaijan the climate is subtropical. In Baku in July and August, daytime air temperatures often reach +38C, and at night drop to +18C.

The best time to visit Azerbaijan is mid-April - late August.

In the east, Azerbaijan is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea, the coastline is 800 km. Azerbaijan owns three large islands in the Caspian Sea. By the way, the peoples who lived in different times in the Caspian Sea region, gave it a total of about 70 names. This sea has been called the Caspian Sea since the 16th century.

More than 8 thousand rivers flow through the territory of Azerbaijan, but the length of only 24 of them exceeds 100 km. Some mountain rivers have very beautiful waterfalls. There are many lakes in the mountains of Azerbaijan. The most beautiful of them are Maral-Gel and Gey-Gel.

The first archaeological evidence of human life on the territory of modern Azerbaijan dates back to the end of the Stone Age. Azerbaijan was conquered by Armenians, Persians, Romans, Arabs, and Turks in different historical eras. The history of Azerbaijan is very rich in interesting events.

I millennium BC - formation of the state of Manna with the capital Izirtu.

I-IV centuries AD - Azerbaijan is part of the Caucasian Albania tribal association, which was subordinate to Ancient Rome.

III-IV centuries AD - Caucasian Albania becomes Christian.

XIII-VIV centuries - Azerbaijan is in vassal dependence on the Hulaguid state.

The end of the 14th century - the state of Shirvan appeared in the north of modern Azerbaijan.

The beginning of the 16th century - almost all the lands of Azerbaijan were united into one state - the Safavid state.

First half of the 16th century – Shiism, a branch of Islam, becomes the state religion in Azerbaijan.

1724 – the territory of Azerbaijan is divided between Russia and the Ottoman Empire.

1920 – The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was formed.

1922-1936 – Azerbaijan becomes part of the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. 1936-1991 – Azerbaijan becomes part of the USSR.

1991 - Azerbaijan's independence is declared.

Azerbaijan became an independent state only in 1991. Before this, for many centuries the territory of Azerbaijan was divided between neighboring empires - Russian and Ottoman. As a result, now the culture of Azerbaijan is multi-ethnic in nature, but the decisive influence on it is exerted by religion - Shiism, one of the branches of Islam.

Every year, for four weeks during the Novruz holiday, interesting religious events, festivals, and folk celebrations take place in Azerbaijan. A mandatory element of such festivities is jumping over a fire.

In addition, other holidays are celebrated in Azerbaijan on a grand scale - Ramadan Bayram (November-February) and Gurban Bayram.

Azerbaijani cuisine has been greatly influenced by Turkish and Central Asian culinary traditions. The main Azerbaijani dish is pilaf with rice, to which various “fillings” are added (meat, fish, fruits, spices, etc.). A special place in Azerbaijani cuisine belongs to salads from fresh vegetables. Salads are usually served along with the main dish (by the way, there are more than 30 types of soups in Azerbaijan).

In Azerbaijan, we recommend trying local soups (“shorba with chicken”, okroshka “ovduh”, lamb soup “piti”), salads (“green kyukyu”, “soyutma”, “bahar”), kebabs (lamb, chicken, liver), pilaf (more than 30 types), dolma, baklava, halva.

The majority of Azerbaijanis are Shiite Muslims. But for some reason religion does not stop them from drinking alcohol. Apparently due to the fact that good wines and cognacs are made in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijanis love tea very much. In the teahouse, men drink sweet black tea from small bowls. Tea is usually served with jam (from quince, figs, apricots, cherries and plums).

Another popular non-alcoholic drink in Azerbaijan is sherbet (sugar, lemon, mint, saffron, basil, cumin, etc. are added to boiled water).

According to official data, there are now more than 6 thousand historical and architectural monuments in Azerbaijan. The Top 10 best Azerbaijani attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:

1. Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku
2. Mardakan Fortress
3. Mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi in ​​Baku
4. Mosque of Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr in Baku
5. Rock paintings of Gobustan
6. Temple complex "Ateshgah" in the village of Surakhani
7. Palace of Sheki Khans
8. "Maiden Tower" in Baku
9. Gyz-Galasy fortress in Shamakhi
10. Mausoleum of Yusuf ibn-Kuseyir in Nakhichevan

The largest Azerbaijani cities are Ganja, Sumgayit, Lankaran, Mingachevir, Nakhichevan, Khirdalan, Khankendi, and, of course, Baku.

There are a lot of hot and mineral springs in Azerbaijan, which are concentrated in the mountainous part of the country. Thus, in Kelbajar alone there are about 200 mineral springs. The best mineral springs in Azerbaijan are Istisu (in Kelbajar), Badamli, Sirab (in Nakhichevan), as well as Darrydag, Turshsu, Arkivan, and Surakhani.

On the plains of Azerbaijan, in particular in the Goranboy region, there is medicinal oil (it is called “naftalan”). Medicinal oil is widely used in medicine. Moreover, neftalane was found only in one place in the world - in the Goranboy region of Azerbaijan.

Tourists from Azerbaijan usually bring folk art, carpets, ceramics, cognac, and wine. Remember that to export any piece of art from Azerbaijan, even if it does not have artistic value, you must obtain permission from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture.

Brief history of Azerbaijan The history of Azerbaijan, or rather its statehood, dates back approximately 5 thousand years. The first state formations on the territory of Azerbaijan arose from the end of the 4th, beginning of the 3rd millennium BC. In the 1st millennium BC, there were Manna, Iskim, Skit, Scythian and such strong states as Caucasian Albania and Atropatena. These states played a major role in improving the culture of public administration, in history economic culture country, as well as in the process of forming a single people. In the 3rd century AD. Azerbaijan was occupied by the Iranian Sassanid Empire, and in the 7th century - Arab Caliphate. The occupiers resettled a large population of Iranian and Arab origin into the country. With the adoption of the Islamic religion in the 7th century, the history of Azerbaijan underwent a radical change. The Muslim religion gave a strong impetus to the formation of a single people, language, customs, etc. among Turkic and non-Turkic peoples in the territories where modern Azerbaijan is now located. A new political and cultural upsurge began in Azerbaijan: on its lands, where Islam was widespread as the state religion, the states of the Sajids, Shirvanshahs, Salarids, Ravvadids and Shaddadids were created. At the indicated time, the Renaissance era began in Azerbaijani history. At the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries, a new milestone began in the history of Azerbaijan. Outstanding statesman Shah Ismail Khatai managed to unite under his leadership all northern and southern lands Azerbaijan. A single Safavid state was formed with its capital in the city of Tabriz, which over time turned into one of the most powerful empires in the Near and Middle East. The commander Nadir Shah, who came to power after the fall of the Safavid state, further expanded the borders of the former Safavid empire. This ruler conquered Northern India, including Delhi, in 1739. However, after his death, the empire he ruled fell. In the second half of the 18th century, Azerbaijan broke up into small khanates and sultanates. At the end of the 18th century, the Gajars, an Azerbaijani dynasty, came to power in Iran. They began to introduce a policy of subordinating the territories that were under the rule of Nadir Shah, including the Azerbaijani khanates, to centralized rule. Thus began the era of many years of wars between the Gajars and those trying to capture South Caucasus Russia. As a result, on the basis of the Gulustan (1813) and Turkmenchay (1828) treaties, Azerbaijan was divided between two empires: Southern Azerbaijan was annexed to Iran, and Northern Azerbaijan was annexed to Iran. Russian Empire. *** On April 28, 1920, the creation of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (Azerbaijan SSR) was announced on the territory of the ADR. In December 1922, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia formed the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. In 1922 it became part of the USSR, and in 1936 the TSFSR was dissolved, and Azerbaijan SSR was incorporated into the USSR as an independent republic that existed until 1991. On August 30, 1991, Azerbaijan declared independence.

By the end of the XVIII - early XIX V. The internal and foreign political situation of Azerbaijan was extremely difficult. First of all, this manifested itself in political and economic backwardness caused by the dominance of subsistence farming, the feudal fragmentation of the country and civil strife. It is also impossible to ignore the fact that the invasions of foreign invaders represented by Iran constantly prevented the creation of centralized state, the emergence of capitalist relations. Azerbaijan, like other Transcaucasian countries, could not successfully develop its economy with internal forces alone and at the same time prevent attacks from external enemies.

As historical practice shows, the best way to centralize the state can only be the establishment of restrained control on the part of a more powerful state, but in this situation a double situation arises: the line between control and enslavement is thin. In the case of Azerbaijan, the following picture of events emerged: attempts by individual khans to unite Azerbaijan under their rule were doomed to failure, then the country could only expect the forceful subjugation of isolated territories by Iran or Turkey. Another option was to search for a military-political patron with his own economic interests, which would also allow the development of an independent economic system in Azerbaijan itself.

Tsarist Russia became such a patron for him, expressing the interests of noble landowners and merchants, striving to conquer new economic zones, expand sales markets and obtain sources of raw materials. Transcaucasia, including Azerbaijan, given its strategic and economic importance, has become the most attractive target foreign policy Tsarist Russia. The conquest of this region would decide the balance of power in the traditional Russian-Turkish rivalry in favor of Russia.

Regardless of the subjective aspirations of tsarism, the annexation of Transcaucasia to Russia objectively should have led to progressive consequences. By the beginning of the 19th century. Capitalist relations developed in Russia, industry and trade grew. St. Petersburg, Moscow and many other cities became major economic and cultural centers.

Russia acted in the East as an advanced country. F. Engels wrote that “Russia really plays a progressive role in relation to the East”, that “Russia’s dominance plays a civilizing role for the Black and Caspian Seas and Central Asia, for the Bashkirs and Tatars...”.

In the specific historical situation of that time, the further strengthening of the Russian orientation of Azerbaijan, which played an important role in its annexation to Russia, was of great importance. The most far-sighted feudal rulers of Azerbaijan at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. sought to strengthen economic and political ties with Russia, wanted to become its citizenship. Because they wanted good relations with a strong power, this would help develop trade. In 1800, the Talysh Khanate was accepted under the patronage of Russia. In 1801, ambassadors of the Talysh, Baku and Kuba khanates arrived at the court of Emperor Alexander I (1801-1825), who negotiated the terms of joining Russia.

Western European powers, especially England and France, who also had aggressive plans for the Transcaucasus, closely monitored Russia's actions in the Transcaucasus and sought to thwart its plans.

The annexation of Eastern Georgia to Russia in 1801 was of great importance for all the peoples of the Caucasus. September 12, 1801 The tsar's manifesto on the annexation of the Kartli-Kakheti kingdom to Russia was published. The Georgian province was formed, headed by the commander-in-chief of the troops and a civilian ruler. This province also included part of the territory of Azerbaijan - the Gazakh, Borchali and Shamshadil sultanates, which were in vassal dependence on the Kartli-Kakheti kingdom and, together with the latter, were annexed to Russia. Consequently, with the annexation of Georgia to Russia, the conquest of Azerbaijani lands by Russia began.

At the same time the composition Russian state The Kazakh and Shamshadil sultanates, mainly populated by Azerbaijanis, entered. The annexation of Azerbaijan to Russia began. The rescript of Alexander 1 dated September 12, 1801 said: “Containing relations with the surrounding owners and peoples, try to increase the number of those committed to Russia, especially attract the khans of Erivan, Ganja, Sheki, Shirvan, Baku and others, over whom the power of Baba Khan is still has not established itself and therefore, in the present circumstances, for their own safety, they will, of course, be more inclined towards Russia.”

The tsarist government, while supporting individual khans of Azerbaijan from the aggressive aspirations of Iran and Turkey, did not at all intend to grant independence to these feudal rulers, although for some reasons it intended, after the khanates came under the patronage of Russia, to retain the khan's power for some time during internal management, provide a guarantee of compliance internal regulations and customs.

During this period, the conductor of the colonialist policy in Transcaucasia was Prince P. Tsitsianov, who came from an old Georgian noble family, who in September 1802 was appointed Commander-in-Chief in the Caucasus. The tsarist government, having entrusted all civil and military power in Transcaucasia to him, hoped with his help to “pacify” the Caucasus. Tsitsianov was distinguished by his contemptuous and cruel attitude towards the peoples of the Caucasus. This is evidenced by his humiliating letters sent to many Azerbaijani khans during the conquest of Azerbaijan by Russia. Using the territory of Eastern Georgia as a starting point, the tsarist government began to implement its plan regarding Azerbaijan.

General Tsitsianov attached great importance to the capture of the Ganja Khanate, since the Ganja fortress was the key to the further advance of Russian troops deep into Azerbaijan.

The Ganja Khanate was annexed to Russia without bloodshed, and was turned into a district, and Ganja was renamed Elizavetpol in honor of the wife of Alexander I.

The annexation of Georgia and the conquest of part of Northern Azerbaijan by Russia caused discontent on the part of the ruling circles of Iran and Turkey, as well as England and France, which were friendly to them during this period. Over the next few decades, these states attempted different ways turn the local ruling elite into their allies and provoke social unrest in the country, directed primarily against Russia.

In 1800, an English officer, a “specialist in Eastern affairs,” Malcolm, arrived in Iran and concluded an agreement with the Shah’s government directed against Russia. When negotiating with the Shah's court, the British widely used bribery. K. Marx noted that England, in the name of its aggressive interests, spent enormous amounts of money in Iran on bribing everyone and everything - “from the Shah to the camel driver.”

The Iranian feudal elite, led by Fethali Shah, in May 1804 demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transcaucasia. The demand was rejected and on June 10, 1804, diplomatic relations between Russia and Iran were broken. The Russian-Iranian war began, which lasted about 10 years.

The foreign policy position of Russia and its subordinate peoples at this time was unstable. The peoples of the Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, played a significant role in this war. For example, even before the invasion of Karabakh, Abbas-Mirza threatened the Kazakhs , that if they refuse to recognize Iranian power, their “families will be captured” and all their livestock will be stolen. However, the Kazakhs rejected this demand and strengthened strategically important points. When the Shah's troops invaded Kazakh, local residents organized a large detachment and defeated them, capturing many trophies.

Taking advantage of the respite during military operations, the Russian government hastened to subjugate the Shirvan, Baku and Kuba khanates to expand its possessions in Transcaucasia. On December 27, 1805, an agreement was signed on the transfer of the Shirvan Khanate to Russian rule.

Having taken the Shirvan Khanate, Russia opened its way to Baku. Baku was the most attractive port for Russia and the most important strategic point on the Caspian coast and was taken without any military action. Huseynguli Khan fled to Iran and on October 3, Baku was finally annexed to Russia, and the Baku Khanate was abolished.

Thus, at the end of 1806, the entire territory of Northern Azerbaijan, with the exception of the Talysh Khanate, was in the possession of Russia. However, this did not simplify the situation of the southern borders.

At the end of 1806, Türkiye started a war against Russia. Russian troops won a number of victories on the Caucasian and Balkan fronts of the Russian-Turkish war.

At this time, social unrest swept across Azerbaijan. Having dealt with uprisings and other uprisings in the northern khanates of Azerbaijan, the commander-in-chief of the Russian troops, General Gudovich, contributed to some reshuffles among the local feudal rulers. Thus, the Derbent and Kuba khanates were temporarily placed under the authority of Shamkhal Tarkovsky, and later turned into provinces of the empire. Jafarguli Khan Khoyski, who defected to Russia at the beginning of the Russian-Iranian war, was appointed Sheki Khan. A significant part of the population - Azerbaijanis and Armenians - moved to Sheki from the Khoy Khanate, forming a number of new villages, as well as a new suburb of Nukha - Yenikend. In Karabakh, Gudovich established Mehtiguli Khan in power - the son of Ibrahim Khalil Khan. With the signing of the Bucharest Peace Treaty Turkey also stopped military operations against Russia under the Treaty of 1812. Thus, Iran had to fight Russia alone

The Russian-Iranian war ended with the Treaty of Gulistan on October 12 (24), 1813, signed in the town of Gulistan on behalf of Russia by Lieutenant General N.F. Rtishchev and on behalf of Iran by Mirza Abul-Hasan. Negotiations on a truce began back in 1812 on the initiative of the Iranian commander, heir to the throne Abbas Mirza.

Even after the conclusion of the Gulistan Peace Treaty, the ruling circles of Iran did not abandon their aggressive claims to Transcaucasia. As before, England pushed Iran to war with Russia. In 1814, she signed a treaty with Iran directed against Russia. In the event of a war between Iran and Russia, England pledged to annually pay the Shah 200 thousand tomans, which were to be spent under the supervision of the British ambassador. The agreement also provided for the “mediation” of the British, that is, their direct intervention, in determining the Russian-Iranian border. This agreement not only placed Iran in a dependent position on the British government, but also provoked it to war with Russia.

England sent its officers to Iran, with their help regular regiments were formed, which were supplied with English weapons. In Iran, British agents intensified their activities and delivered important information to England.

Incited by England, the Iranian government presented Russia with demands for the concession of the Talysh Khanate and Mugan. With the assistance of the British ambassador in St. Petersburg, the Shah's court tried to achieve a revision of the terms of the Treaty of Gulistan. For this purpose, an extraordinary ambassador was sent from Tehran to St. Petersburg.

In turn, the Russian government sent a diplomatic mission to Tehran led by General Ermolov. As a result of the machinations of English diplomacy, he met with a hostile reception. No agreement was reached on any of the issues that were negotiated, and Russian-Iranian relations continued to remain strained.

Iran was preparing for a new war. The Russian consul reported from Tabriz about the cannon fire of Abbas Mirza's troops, constantly carrying out exercises. “The artillery in its image and regulations is completely English,” wrote A.P. Ermolov from Iran.

Iran tried to raise rebellions in the khanates of Azerbaijan, with the help of the khans who fled to Iran. In addition, Iran wanted to improve relations with Turkey to fight Russia.

On July 16, 1826, a 60,000-strong Iranian army under the command of Abbas Mirza crossed Arak without declaring war and invaded the northern part of Azerbaijan. Enemy troops exterminated, robbed and tortured the population of Transcaucasia, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, and Georgians.

The main forces of the Iranian army moved to Karabakh. Foreign officers in the service of Abbass Mirza took an active part in the siege. Russian soldiers, with the help of the population, steadfastly defended the city. The defenders of the fortress threw burning rags soaked in oil from the walls, and the flames illuminated the columns of the attacking sarbaz. Even women and girls took part in the defense of the city: under enemy fire, they gave ammunition to the soldiers and bandaged the wounded. The assault was repulsed.

The enemy tried again and again to take control of Shusha. During one of these attempts, the attackers, on the orders of Abbas Mirza, drove hundreds of captive residents of Karabakh before them. The Iranian command threatened the prisoners that they would all be killed if they did not persuade their compatriots to surrender the city. But the prisoners said: “It would be better for several hundred people to die than for the whole people to fall under heavy oppression...”.

The defense of Shushi lasted 48 days. Abbas Mirza's army was never able to capture the city. The heroic defense of the fortress delayed the advance of the main forces of the invaders for a long time.

At the same time, the Iranian army attacked other khanates of Azerbaijan. As a result of the invasion of Iranian troops and rebellions organized and led by the khans, many provinces of Azerbaijan, which had barely healed their wounds after the first Russian-Iranian war, were again devastated.

By the fall of 1826, reinforcements were transferred from Russia to Transcaucasia. The command of the troops was entrusted to General I.F. Paskevich, and A.P. Ermolov remained the commander-in-chief in the Caucasus for some time. Soon the Russian army launched a counteroffensive.

Russian troops began to win and return the khanates captured by Iran. The Shah's government, extremely alarmed by the victories of the Russian troops, hastened to begin peace negotiations.

Joining Russia saved the Azerbaijani people from the danger of enslavement by backward Iran and Turkey. Only by throwing in their lot with the Russian people, the peoples of the Caucasus, tormented by foreign conquerors, were saved from extermination and freed from the devastating invasions and raids of Iranian and Turkish feudal lords.

The outstanding Azerbaijani philosopher, playwright, educator and public figure Mirza Fatali Akhundov, who in 1877 wrote: “...Thanks to the patronage of the Russian state, we got rid of the endless invasions that took place in the past” and the robberies of the predatory hordes and finally found peace.”

In the northern part of Azerbaijan, the tendency towards worsening feudal fragmentation was eliminated, and the internecine wars that ruined the country and hampered its development stopped. The elimination of political fragmentation and the associated first steps towards the economic development of Northern Azerbaijan by Russia were of great importance for its subsequent development.

One of the immediate results of Azerbaijan’s annexation to Russia, which was already felt in the first quarter of the 19th century, was a noticeable development of commodity-money relations. In the 19th century Azerbaijan gradually began to be drawn into the mainstream economic development Russia, joined Russian market and through it was involved in world trade turnover. Under the influence of the Russian economy in Azerbaijan, although slowly, economic isolation was destroyed, productive forces grew, capitalist relations emerged, and a working class began to form.

The accession of Azerbaijan to Russia significantly contributed to the introduction of the Azerbaijani people to advanced Russian culture. Russia, with its progressive culture, had a beneficial influence on the Azerbaijani people and other peoples of the Caucasus.

At the same time, the heavy oppression of tsarism, landowners and capitalists put pressure on the Russian people and on all the peoples of Russia. The masses of non-Russian nationalities, including the Azerbaijani people, were subjected to the double oppression of tsarism and local exploiters. Relying on local landowners and the bourgeoisie, tsarism pursued a cruel colonialist policy in Azerbaijan, savagely suppressed the national liberation movement, and hampered the development of the Azerbaijani language and culture.

But even under the conditions of the colonial oppression of Tsarist Russia, being powerless and oppressed, the peoples of the Caucasus invariably gravitated towards the Russian people, in whose person they found a friend and protector in the struggle for their social and national liberation." Under the powerful influence of the revolutionary movement in Russia in the future, a new stage in the liberation movement in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani people together with other peoples of our country, led by the Russian people, he led the struggle against the common enemy - tsarism, the landowners and the bourgeoisie.

The annexation of Transcaucasia to Russia was of enormous international significance. It dealt a blow to the aggressive aspirations of the Shah of Iran and Sultan Turkey and the British and French colonialists behind them, and contributed to the subsequent rapprochement of the peoples of Russia and the East.